Old to New: Technology Transitions Essay Example
Old to New: Technology Transitions Essay Example

Old to New: Technology Transitions Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
Topics:
  • Pages: 4 (996 words)
  • Published: August 29, 2021
View Entire Sample
Text preview

Technology in the field of higher education, like in other sectors, is constantly evolving. Just as new information and mathematical formulas are discovered, technology is always changing. It is crucial for universities to keep up with the technological advancements that each new class is familiar with, especially considering that many young students have a greater proficiency in using mobile apps compared to their grandparents. However, the Office of Residence Life has lagged behind in implementing mobile entry and identification systems.

Technology Transitions in Higher Education

In just 20 short years, cellular phone technology has undergone a complete transformation. Previously, it was considered a luxury item exclusive to the privileged few. Over time, cellphones have become increasingly smaller, shrinking from the size of a VHS tape to that of a chalkboard eraser.

Nowadays, various cellpho

...

ne sizes are available; from the older "flip phones" to the sleek Samsung Galaxy 8 and iPhone series, many of which are even thinner than an Archie Comics Double Digest comic book. These developments serve as evidence for the profound changes that have occurred.

Cellular phones have moved beyond their original purpose of making phone calls and have become the primary mode of communication for some individuals. With multiple platforms and mobile apps that can be downloaded onto these devices, people now have the capability to FaceTime someone halfway across the globe and engage in real-time conversation.

As stated by Wankel & Blessinger (2013), "Mobile technology is growing at an exponential rate.Many of us have regular access to smartphones and tablets and use them to talk, connect through text messaging, and take pictures and search the web" (p.98). This transition towards mobile technology is also evident i

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

higher education.

In the late 1990s, college applications were mainly paper-based and required visits to offices or requests for mailed forms.

In today's era, students can easily utilize their cellphone internet browser to apply to various universities. Similarly, the shift in classrooms has adopted a comparable trajectory. In the past, higher education appeared out of reach; however, with the advancement of online education tools like e-libraries and blackboard classrooms, along with other technological innovations, people from any location worldwide now have the opportunity to obtain their desired education as long as they possess internet access and required resources.

According to Sutton & DeSantis (2017, p. 224), there are currently technology solutions available that are easy, effective, and affordable. However, the challenge lies in motivating university professors to invest their valuable time, money, and energy capital in discovering and integrating these solutions. Both professors and administrators often encounter difficulties when incorporating new technology into their classrooms, whether it be software or hardware. This implementation is frequently impeded by resistance from upper administration and colleagues who fail to see the value in such technologies. Nonetheless, educators should consider embracing this transformation in order to remain competitive with global entities that offer students a wide range of features like camera, voice recording, and GPS capabilities while engaging them in various learning processes (Wankel & Blessinger, 2013).

Integrating various technologies into apps or devices that can be used across platforms offers a way to advance and engage with students. These technologies can become a part of students' daily lives, both at work and school, and even after college. Many companies provide workplace apps that cater to different needs such as insurance, work-specific tasks,

and communication with internal and external partners.

Despite being in the year 2018, some collegiate institutions still rely on multiple methods for entry and identification into residence halls. At Bowie State University, for example, students are provided with a residence life ID card, traditional room keys, key fobs, and an official student ID card known as the Bulldog Card. The Bulldog Card grants access to meal plans, vending machines, financial aid distributions, and more. Therefore, each year a student lives on campus, they are issued four separate items.Although each of these items is crucial for residential students, having to constantly maintain multiple items can be inconvenient and increases the chances of losing them, especially since they are used multiple times daily. Additionally, the separate logging systems for each item can lead to human errors in tracking and maintenance. Reissuing a new set every year and collecting them at the end of the year also means that additional inventory is needed for lost items, resulting in additional costs for those who lose them.

The New: A New True OneCard System.

IdentiSys Incorporated is a full-service provider of identification and security solutions. They offer services to corporate America and the education sector, catering to their security and identification needs. At Bowie State University, IdentiSys can provide customer service and maintenance for various services including meal plans, vending machines, laundry machines, building security access, surveillance systems, student tracking, financial aid disbursements, and debit card functionality. By choosing a system like IdentiSys, the university and its departments can streamline processes and share information across multiple departments on campus. The system can be customized to meet specific university

and student requirements, so the costs may vary depending on the desired features. Implementing this solution will simplify the check-in process and reduce inventory costs over time by consolidating various platforms.

Conclusion

The integration of technology in the university setting requires dedicated research and analysis prior to implementation. However, technological advancements should not be avoided. According to Sutton & DeSantis (2017, p. 227), many university professors are inhibited from fully capitalizing on emerging technology tools due to the wide array of available tools, the steep learning curve of some technologies, limited rewards, and competing demands for their time. Therefore, when faculty and staff explore technologies to improve the educational experience, they should dedicate themselves to thoroughly understanding these technologies and potential further advancements. This may require intensive tools and time, so planning accordingly is important (Sutton & DeSantis, 2017, p. 224). Additionally, as Amirault (2015, p.) mentions, some technologies may change quickly with shorter product life cycles, so adaptability to change is crucial.

4)

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New